Armin krah



N o. 62l,256.

Patented Mar. l4, I899. A. KRAH. PORTFOLIO, LETTER FILE, 81.0.

(Application filed. Aug. 20, 1898.) {No Model.)

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PORTFOLBO, LETTER-FlLE, 8L0- SPEGIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,256, dated March 14, 1899.

Application filed August 20,1898. Serial No. 689,122. (No model.) I

To all whom it-may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARMIN KRAH, manufacturer, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at 78 Al'te Jacobstrasse, Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portfolios, Letter-Files, and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

The closing device for portfolios, letter or paper files, and the like with a divided backing which forms the subject of the present invention is characterized by a particular form permitting of the backing-halves being forced apart as the closing device is opened. Therefore all that is necessary for opening the portfolio or file is to exert a slight pressure with a finger upon the closing device, whereupon the papers or documents can be instantly withdrawn or inserted, as the case may be. The closing device, moreover, permits of the portfolio being closed in a very simple manner, seeing that in orderto effect the closing all that is necessary is to fold up the two covers of the portfolio or file.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a cross-section through the back in g of the portfolio in its closed position. Fig. 2 represents the closing 'devicein'elevation, the portfolio being likewise in its closed position; and Fig. 3 represents the backing of the portfolio in elevation when in its open position.

The portfolio consists of the two equal backing-halves wand 12, which are so connected by one, two, or more hinges c, or,'in substitution for the hin ges,by the outer coating 6 of leather, cloth, or the like, that these two halves when in closed position form a uniform book-backing. The backing-halves are preferably made of wood, the outside being suitably covered with leather, cloth, or similar material 6, this latter covering material being likewiseused for'fixing the lateral continuations a b and the covers proper, (I, so that the latter are easily movable on said continuations a. b.

On the inner sides of these continuations a b sheet-metal strips with threading-wires f are fastened in the known manner, these threading-wires being adapted to receive the previthe backing-halves.

ously-perforated papers or-documents which are slid on said wires. i

For holding the backing-halves a and b together when in the closed position a slide 1) is employed, which is screwed on the left backing-half a, so as to be displaceable thereonin the longitudinal direction. erted against the bent extremity p of the-slide in order to open. the portfolio. A spring 0 has the permanent tendency to return the slide to its initial position. (Represented in Figs. 2 and The said slide 19 is provided with a nose 1) which grips behind the hook q of a piece q of sheet metal screwed onthe backinghalf I) when the portfolio is in its closed position. On exerting a slight pressure upon the end '13- the nose slides off the hook q, so that the two backing-halves a. and b are no,longer held together. As, however, the slide 1) is moved up the oblique surface 10 on its part strikes against a projection m, forces the latter back, and thus forcibly moves the backing-half b away from a, so that not only the closing device is opened, but also the backing-halves are automatically separated. As the portfolio is being closed the lower edge p of the hook slides over the slightly-oblique edge q and on completely closing the portfolio again engages behind the right edge of being rapidly forced apart on opening the closing device, springs a; are arranged between In Figs. 1 and 2 these springs as are represented in form of short spiral springs, which may, however, be substituted by leaf-springs, which should be located along the intermediate space behind the two backing-halves. The closing device represented, however, permits of such springs being dispensed with, seeing-that theoblique surface 19 of the slide, as already mentioned,

Pressure is ex In order to permit of the backing-halves V presses against the projection m, thereby forcing the backing open; but in addition to this arrangement springs may of course be used.

What I claim is-- A portfolio or letter-file with bipartite backing, characterized by a slide p arranged upon the one backing-half a and provided with an oblique surface 19 and a nose p and a hook q' and a projection m on the other backing- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set half b, which nose p by gripping behind the my hand, in presence of two subscribing wit- 1o hook q holds the portfolio in its closed posi-' nesses, this 27th day of J nly, 1898. tion While on movin the slide 1) back the v 5 nose p is teleased from the hook q, the ob- ARMIN LRAH' liqn e-surface p strikes against the projection Witnesses: m and forces both backing-halves apart, so HENRY BORDEWICH, that the portfolio or file is opened. B. BORDEWICH. 

